Contents [hide]

Merritt History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Merritt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Merritt

What does the name Merritt mean?

The name Merritt arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Merritt family lived in Leicestershire. Their name, however, is a reference to the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Marriot in Normandy. While many of the family settled in England, some stayed behind in Normandy as shown by Richard Mareta who was listed there (1180-1195.) 1

Early Origins of the Merritt family

The surname Merritt was first found in Somerset at Merriott, a parish, in the union of Chard, hundred of Crewkerne. 2 This parish was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Meriet 3 and possibly meant "boundary gate," from the Old English words "maere" + "geat." 4 Some of the first listings of the name include: Alric filius Meriet; and Aelric Meriete in 1066 and Aegel filius Mergeati c. 1086. Symon Meriet was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1202. 5 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: John de Meriet in Lincolnshire; and Simon de Meriet in Somerset. 6

Early History of the Merritt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Merritt research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1614, 1657, 1679, 1695, 1698, 1708 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Merritt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Merritt Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Marriott, Mariott, Marriot, Marritt, Marrot, Marrotte, Mariatt, Maryet, Maryott, Marryatt, Mariate, Merritt, Merriott and many more.

Early Notables of the Merritt family

More information is included under the topic Early Merritt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Merritt Ranking

In the United States, the name Merritt is the 633^rd most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Merritt family to Ireland

Some of the Merritt family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Merritt migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Merritt or a variant listed above:

Merritt Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Nicholas Merritt, who arrived in Marblehead, Massachusetts in 1648 8
Henry Merritt, who landed in Virginia in 1651 8
George Merritt, who arrived in Virginia in 1657 8
Thomas Merritt, who arrived in Connecticut in 1662 8
Ruth Merritt, who arrived in Maryland in 1677 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Merritt Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James Merritt, who landed in Virginia in 1714 8
Margery Merritt, who arrived in Virginia in 1722 8
Vinson Merritt, who landed in Virginia in 1724 8

Merritt Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Samuel Merritt, aged 21, who landed in Maryland in 1813 8
David Merritt, aged 38, who landed in Massachusetts in 1813 8
Robert Merritt, who landed in New York in 1831 8
William F Merritt, who arrived in New York in 1842 8
Isaac Merritt, aged 33, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1847 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Merritt Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. John Merritt, (b. 1883), aged 22, English miner, from Chasewater, Staffordshire, UK travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 30th September 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 9
Mr. Thomas J. Merritt, (b. 1877), aged 28, English miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 9
Mr. William H. Merritt, (b. 1883), aged 22, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 1905 en route to Painesdale, Michigan, USA 9

Merritt migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Merritt Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Thomas Merritt Sr., U.E. (B. 1729) born in New York, USA from Long Island, New York, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 he arrived aboard the ship "Montague", married to Amy Purdy having 7 children, he died in 1821 10
Mr. Robert Merritt U.E. (b. 1731) born in New York, USA from Westchester County, New York, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 married to Elizabeth Robinson having 6 children, he became a Freeman in 1785, he died in 1802 10
Mr. Caleb Merritt U.E. (b. 1763) born in New York, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1821 10
Mr. Joseph Merritt U.E. (b. 1742) born in North Castle, New York, USA from Fishkill, Dutchess County, New York, USA who settled in Home District, [Niagara], Ontario c. 1784 married to Mary (Polly) Parker having 11 children, he died in 1813 10
Mr. Nathaniel Merritt U.E. who settled in St. John River, New Brunswick c. 1784 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Merritt migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Merritt Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Elizabeth Merritt, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eden" in 1838 11
Eliza Merritt, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eden" in 1838 11
John Merritt, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1839 12
Elizabeth Merritt, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1839 12
Mr. Edwin Merritt, (b. 1807), aged 33, English clerk who was convicted in Kingston, Ontario, Canada for life for murder, transported aboard the "Brothers" on 28th September 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1867 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Merritt migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Merritt Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Merritt, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "British Queen" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 30th August 1859 14
Thomas J. Merritt, aged 21, a miller, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Conflict" in 1874
Thomas E. Merritt, aged 37, a mechanic, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Howrah" in 1874
Charlotte Merritt, aged 28, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Howrah" in 1874
Martha Merritt, aged 58, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Howrah" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Merritt (post 1700) +

Gilbert Stroud Merritt Jr. (1936-2022), American lawyer and jurist, United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (2001-2022)
Harold Merritt (b. 1951), American college head coach at Northern Arizona University from 1990 to 1994
Jymie Merritt (1926-2020), American jazz double-bassist, electric-bass pioneer, band leader and composer
Catherine Tift Merritt (b. 1975), American singer-songwriter
Chris Merritt (b. 1952), American opera singer from Oklahoma City
Abraham Grace Merritt (1884-1943), American editor and author
Wesley Merritt (1836-1910), United States Army general in the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War
Stephin Merritt (b. 1966), American singer-songwriter
H. Houston Merritt (1902-1979), American dean of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons from 1958 to 1970
George L. Merritt Jr., American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Merritt family +

SS Atlantic

Miss Mary R. Merritt, (nee Scrym), American who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
Mr. W. H. Merritt, American who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
Mrs. W. H. Merritt, American who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) EDEN 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838Eden.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LYSANDER 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Lysander.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/buffalo
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html